Shanghai’s circuit organisers have been issued a directive from the FIA to improve the circuit’s track surface and drainage in order to qualify for homologation by the sport’s governing body and have the right to host the Chinese Grand Prix next year.

The Hermann Tilke-designed facility cost nearly a quarter of a billion dollars to build ahead of its F1 debut in 2004, but it has only been awarded a provisional billing on the 2011 Formula 1 calendar.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that the FIA has demanded drainage improvements, with four of the last five F1 events at the circuit being rain-affected.

“The homologation licence for the Shanghai International Circuit has expired and before a new licence can be issued by the FIA some work on the track is required,” an FIA spokesperson confirmed.